The Cult of the Dark Strand is a faction of humanoids, drawing members from a variety of races, including human, troll, high elf, Forsaken, Dark Iron dwarf, Blood elf and orc. The cult is based at the Tower of Althalaxx in Darkshore, but has agents in Ashenvale as well, and there are even some cultists Near the dark portal. After killing their leader, Athrikus Narassin, you have a chance to get a which states that the cult is a "strand" of the Shadow Council.